Man pleads not guilty in fatal Avondale shooting

PHOENIX — A Phoenix man has pleaded not guilty in the fatal shooting of
his ex-girlfriend last month.

Maricopa County prosecutors said Thomas Lamont Moton, 38, entered his
plea Wednesday. His initial pretrial conference is set for July 25.

Moton is accused of shooting Takesha Barnes multiple times May 25 in the
parking lot of Avondale’s Westview High School. Barnes, 33, had been
attending a ceremony for her eighth-grade daughter. Barnes was declared dead at
a Phoenix hospital.

Authorities said Moton remains jailed on a $2 million bond on suspicion of
premeditated first-degree murder and various weapons charges.

Avondale police said Barnes had taken out an order of protection May 21 after
repeated threats by Moton. They said Moton and Barnes had two children together
and a history of domestic violence.